The type collection of Draba granitica, Handel-Mazzetti 9497 (holotype, WU; isotype, W), is indistinguishable from that of D. gracillima, J. D. Hooker s.n. (holotype, K; isotypes, E, K, NY, P, W), in every aspect except flower color. The former species was said to have white instead of yellowish white or pale yellow flowers, but the present authors believe that this distinction is artificial, and the two taxa are united here.

Draba wardii, which is known only from the type gathering, Kingdon Ward 849 (holotype, E), collected from Xizang, was not listed in FRPS or Fl. Xizang. (vol. 2. 1985). It is no more than a young plant of D. gracillima with simple trichomes more abundant that stellate ones.